Lake Burton Fishing Report January 2012

Burton: Level: 9.1 feet below full pool. Temp: 50 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Trout: Wes Carlton reports, “The brown trout have been biting good this month and should continue to for the next month or so. We have been catching eight to 15 trout per trip with an occasional 6-pounder. The topwater trolling bite has proven best. We have been trolling gold Loco spoons and mini umbrella rigs (five-arm Swarm rig with Rapala countdowns). For best results, troll 50 to 80 feet behind the boat at approximately 1.8 mph.”

Bass: Wes reports, “The spotted bass have started their descent deep. Try using a Kastmaster spoon or a deep-diving crankbait like a Rapala X-Rap. The spoons are working good early in the mornings or on cloudy days. The crankbaits have been producing midday to early evening. Recently we had three fish heavier than 5 pounds and one heavier than 6 pounds. The largemouths are still a little shallow. Most of these fish are biting a weighted pearl fluke or a brown jig in heavy cover.”

Walleye: Wes reports, “The walleye have been feeding most of the day. Try using a blueback herring with a weight and a 6-foot fluorocarbon leader. Fish in 25 to 30 feet of water on main-lake points. Be patient, and let the fish eat the bait. This is the key to landing these fish. This pattern should hold for the next two months.”